Tina Tchen’s Life and Career

A lawyer by training, Tina Tchen has also held influential roles in government, working on equity and opportunities for women and girls during Barack Obama’s presidency. She worked as the executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, and she was an assistant to President Barack Obama and chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama.

Here’s a snapshot of what Tina has accomplished in her life and career:

• Early life: Tina Tchen was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Peter and Lily Tchen. Tina grew up in Beachwood, Ohio.
• Education: After graduating high school, Tina went to Harvard University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She then spent a few years working for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and on the Equal Rights Amendment campaign before attending the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
• White House: She joined the Obama administration as the director of the White House office of Public Engagement. In 2011, she became an assistant to the president and chief of staff to the first lady. During her time at the White House, she also served as the executive director of the Council on Women and Girls.
• Published work: Tina has published essays and op-eds for several publications, such as Fortune, Forbes, CNN, Fast Company, The Washington Post, Marie Claire, and InStyle.
• Awards: Tina’s numerous awards include Chicago Lawyer Person of the Year (1994), Women of Achievement award from the Anti-Defamation League (1996), and Leadership Award from the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (1999).

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